The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1887-05-28
A Patriots Death.

| The dying moments Of Peter O'Neilj
| Crowley, are described as follows by an
eyewitness. the Rev. T. OConnell, r.
F., Castlemartyr in a recent letter to
| the Cork Herald:
| A few particulars in connection with
| the last moments of Peter O'Neill Crow
ley may not be uninteresting to your
numerous readers at the present mo-
ment I cam well recall the memorable
morning III March, '67, when I was has
| tily summoned TO administer to the pa
tri3t the last rites of that Church which
he loved SC well. On my arrival at Kill
}.cloonev Wood, I found Dr. Segraye,
surgeon to the flying column, busily en-
gagged in staunching the wound with
one hand, whilst from a prayerbook in
the other he read aloud--at the young
mans request-the Litany Of the Holy
Name OF Jesus. | was greatly touched
by the scene, aad especially by the ex-
clamation-"Thank God--aIl is right
now and then turning to the doctor,
he said ''thank you very much-the
priest is come; leave nae to him.;
sa " at once The critical condition Of The
brave soul, whose hearts blood was eb-
bing fast away. [ saw that there was
10 time to lose, and having made him
us comfortable as circumstances would
permit, by means Of the soldiers KNAPP
sacks, [ then and there, surrounded by
the military and police, administered
the last sacraments. The fervor and
devotion with which he prepared for
death-though suffering very much
were most striking, and made on me an
indelible impression. His lively faith
and firm hope coupled with, if might
so write, his true heroism, so affected
me that L could have wished myself in
mis- place, 1t was whilst kneeling by
his side and whispering to him words
Of consolation that he gave expression
with his dying lips to that noble senti-
meiit--one we'll worthy of Saint Law
renee O'Toole-'tFather, [ have two
loves in my heartone for my religion.
the other for my country. I am dying
to-day for fatherland. l could die as
cheerfully for faith" Peter O'Neill
Crowley was as thoroughly religious as
he was patriotic, and seemed only to
have one great ambition-the good of
others, whilst sacrificing himself.
Though his prudence may we'll be ques-
toned, his heroic sef-denial and bra
very have deseryedly secured for his
memory the respect and admiration of
his countrymen. To hold him up as a
contumacious Fenian would not be fair
to his memory, for he had died long be-
fore Fenianism as an oath-bound and
secret society was formally condemned
by the Church. I speak from thorough
conviction when I say that Peter
O'Neill Crowley under no circum-
stances would knowingly become q dis
obedient child Of the Church His last
words to me when parting give the key
to his religious character. ''Father,''
said he, Il suppose I'll be some time in
Purgatory, and will you kindly tell my
sister 10 have some Masses offered for
my soul.' Having replied in the af-
hrmative, I then, with a heavy heart
and fearful eyes, bade him an affection
ate goodbye with a request that he
would not forget me in Heaven, al !
which he family Smiled, and we parted.
1t was whilsta young curate in the par
ish of Kildorrery, and the guest of Mr..
Thomas O'Brien, j. F., Mounteagle,
that this memorable; incident in my life
occurred.
The special term of the district court
cOnYenes in Pierre. Dakota. on Nav 21 il